Question for vegetarians

[Rainbow Dash]

I don't know if this is the right place to put this or not. I thought this would fit here as it is a "belief"

Why do some vegetarians eat fish? I've never really understood it :| I mean, fish are still animals :| I know fish don't have cognitive thought but they're still animals.

[Iridescence]

Some vegetarians (or more specifically known as pescatarians) prefer to eat fish as another way to receive protein. I'm specifically a pescatarian and I love to eat fish. I know it seems weird but some vegetarians prefer to eat fish but no meat. There's a whole bunch of different types of vegetarians.

[Nicole!]

I've wondered this as well, but they are pescitarians, not vegetarians. I don't eat anything that was once living and that includes fish. I think it is to help get some protein in their diet.

[Aletheia*]

As mentioned above, there are different types of vegetarians.

Here is an idea of the different types of vegetarians. Source: http://vegetariandietlifestyle.com/b...getarians.html

Pesco-Vegetarians: Those who eat fish.

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians: Those who eat diary products, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Lacto Vegetarians: Don't eat eggs, but consume other dairy products.

Ovo Vegetarians: Eat eggs, but don't consume dairy products (opposite of above description)

Pure Vegetarian: No eggs or dairy.

Vegan: Don't consume any sort of food from animals, including honey.

Low fat vegetarian: Pretty obvious :P

Raw vegetarian or vegan: Do not eat anything that has been cooked (anything that is heated about 115 degrees)

Fruitarian: Those who only fruits, vegetables and some nuts and seeds.

Occasional vegetarian: Those who eat meat, just not as much.

The list I provided IS NOT a complete list of all the different types of vegetarians, however, this gives you a general idea of what each of them means.

[dancinfool]

Another reason some people eat fish and not meat is because it is generally perceived that fish do not feel pain in the same way as mammals and therefore it is somehow less cruel. Whether this is true or not is somewhat an open question still I think. Also fish generally tend to be 'wild' as opposed to reared specifically for eating (although obviously this is not the case for all types of fish). So I guess there's kindaa some logic to it :P

[ReluctantPegasister]

My vegetarian friend who eats fish rationalizes it by saying she could kill a fish and then eat it (but not a sheep or cow, etc). I personally could never give up steak, yum.

[Boobies]

Originally Posted by Melody

I've wondered this as well, but they are pescitarians, not vegetarians. I don't eat anything that was once living and that includes fish. I think it is to help get some protein in their diet.

I'm assuming you meant you'd never eat something that was once conscious? Because plants are living too...

[Revolution]

That means that they are "vegetarian" (really pescatarian) for health reasons because fish are really the only "healthy" meat. The rest have a lot of saturated fat. But yeah, it just means they do it for the health, rather than for ethical or environmental reasons.

[Kate*]

If I ever became a vegetarian, which I have considered. I would eat fish while I was transitioning off of meat and then I would probably stop, but it is a good way to make sure you get healthy fats, B12 and protein at least while you're still learning and you have to make sure you get enough nutrients. I don't think I could ever eat a fish that looked at me though, that would just freak me out.

[Gymnophoria]

After thinking about this a bit, I've decided to move it to Lifestyles because I think it fits in as more of a lifestyle choice than a belief. PM me if you have any objections.

[Troubled_Heart]

I think people think animals and fish as different-one reason for this being that in the bible God created land animals seperate to those of the oceans and therefore they think fish as being different to animals thus acceptable to eat. To me I wouldn't eat fish because it is a living thing, but others feel fish are not animals but just sea creatures and have an adversion to eating animals thus fish do not fall into this.
Another reason is for health. As a vegetarian you can be lacking in protein unless you eat a substitute whcih many do not do as they feel this is not being a 'proper' vegetarian and for health readons it can be a good idea to eat fish.
In general it is just personal opinion as to what you do. People see the world in different ways and we just have to get on with it
Xxx